Paper-feeding machine.



A. BROADMEYER". PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

I APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, 1915. 1,183,626.

I0 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Patented May 16, 1916.

KS N INI .@QMW

A; BROADNfEYER. I PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MA1/20.1915.

- Patented May16,1916.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. BROADMEYER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

APPL|CAT|N FILED MAY 20| |9|5 I i 1,1 83,626. Patented May 16, 1916.

l0 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

L TTURIVEYS A. BROADNIEYER.

PAPER FEEmNe MAomNE. v

APPLICATION-FILED MAY 20. 1915.

Patented Mayl, 1916.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A. BROADMEYER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. 1915.

Patented May 16, 1916.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

| 'miiiiii ullllumliiulll 'a @www 'A v /HTOH/llEl/S "I Al BROADMEYER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE..

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2o. 19:5.

Patented May16,1916;

1o sHEETs-sHEET`s.

A. BROADIVIEYER. PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 20. IsIs.

Patented May E ETS-f M535 @wad/2692er nvm/roh Wl T/VESSES:

A TTORNE Y6 A. BROADMEYER. PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2o. 1915.`

Patented May 16 ATTORNEYS MNM,

y A. BROADMEY'ER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IIIAY 2o. I9I5.

Patented May 16, 1916.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

k nvm/ron @ai famzdjyf ArroH/I/Ers ALBERT EEOADMEYEE, or IIAREISEURG, PENNsYLVANIA, AssIGNoE. To THE w. o. HICKOK MANUFACTURING co., o`E HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A eomoEifiTioirl or PENNSYLVANIA.

PAPER-FEEDING MACHINE.

' `Speeicatnon of Letterslatent.

Appiiation mea May zo, 1915. serial NQ. 29,326.

To all whom it may; concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT BROADMEYER,

la subject of the Emperor of Germany, and a primary object thereof being to provide afeeding machine operable in timed relation from a ruling machine to feed sheets con.

` tinuously, or at proper intervals thereto, and

. which, l y Figure 1 is a plan View. Fig. 2 is a side which will be highly effective for this purpose, strong and durable in use.

More specifically, the invention aims to provide a verticallyadjustablefeed table on which the paper sheets are stacked, together withgmeans operable in connection with thick and thin, rough 'and even paper, whereby to elevate the table automatically and -in step.

by step movements, as paper is fed therefrom, in order to maintain the top of the stack in practically the same position at all The invention further. aims to` provide automatic means whereby to withdraw sheets lfrom the stack and transport, the same to the ruling machine, without injury, and without regard to the particular condition of 'the paper, thatis, whether thick, thin, rough,

of the paper may be accomplished, .together with means automatically controlling-such air connections from the operating parts of th ruling machine. I Other and still further objects ofjthis'invention, including `means to prevent theA feedxof two or more sheets at a time, to-

gether with the advantages resulting there.- from, will appear more clearly from the fol.I

lowing description, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings formf ing a part of this specification,- and vin elevation. Fig. 3 is anJenlarged side elevation of that part of the feeding machine lad- ]acent to the feed table and looking at the relatively opposite` side thereof as compared to Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail vertical longitudinal setiontaken therethrough substantially-on line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is .a

4vertical cross section, enlarged, taken substantially on line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is asimilar View, ltaken substantially on line 6 6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is another similar view taken substantially on line 7 7 of Fig. 1. .Fig. 8 is a detail vertical section taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 6. Fig. 9. is a similar view taken on line 9"-9 of Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is still another similar view taken on line 10 10 of Fig. 6. Fig. 11 is a view partly in v.side elevation and partly broken away and in section showing the clutch at one end of the shaft of the roller shown `in Fig. 7.V Fig. 12 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 12-12 ofUFig. l1. Fig. 13 is'a view in elevation of part of the clutch shown in Fig. 11, with the parts in unclutched position.

f Y Patented May is, isis.

Fig. 14 is a vertical section taken substantially on linelllr-lll of Fig. `'11. Fig. 15 is, a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating the air connections, particularly the blast.

connections for agitating'the paper in the stack. Fig. 16 `is a detailvertical section taken substantially 'on line 16-16 of Figsl. Fig. 17 is a detail section taken substantially on-line 17 17 of Fig. 16. Fig. 18 isa vertical longitudinal section through one of the air valves taken substantially oi'i line 18-18 of Fig. 19. Fig. 19 isa cross section taken vertically through one of the valves, substantially ,on-line 19-19 ofFig. 1-5. Fig. 2O is a similar view through another of the valves, taken substantially on line 20-20 of Fig. l5. Fig. 21 is another similar vievs1 taken through stillanother valve substantially on 21.--21 of Fig. 15. Fig.` 22 is a detail sideflelevation of aportion of the machine, illustrating the automatic means whereby to present the feed of two orv more sheets at a time. Fig. 23 is a detail vertical section takemsubstantially on line 23 23 of Figj22. Fig. 24 is a: detail elevation illustrating the cam and controlling connection of one of theair val shown Fig. 15. Fig.y 25 is a detail horizontal section taken a portion of the feed table seen in Fig. 5.-

Fig. 29 is an enlarged detail section of cer# tain of the parts shown in Fig. 5, and to be more specifically referred to hereinafter.

Fig. 30 is a detail vertical section through one of the paper stack engaging members.A Fig. 31 is a similar View of another paper engaging member. Fig. 32 is a detail per spective view illustrating the clutch connection between the table controlling shaft and its crank. Fig. 33is a diagrammatic View illustrating the electrical connection for controlling the vertical adjustment of the feed table and for use in connection with rough and4 unevennpaper. Fig.. 34 is a detail vertical section through certain parts of the apparatus shown in Fig. 33 and taken substantially on line 34,-34 of said figure, and Fig. 35 is an endview of the paper stack shown in Fig. 33.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seenf that at the rear `of the feeding machine is arranged a frame in which the feed table is vertically adjustably disposed, this frame consisting of abase from which a pair of standards 5 1 rise at each side, the upper ends of these standards supporting upper side frames 52, rigidly connected and spaced apart by transverse tigeJ rods 53 and 54 as best seen in Figs. 4 and 5. l

By referring to Fig. 5 it will b e noted that the upper side frames 52 have journalsfor `the upper ends 55 of screw bars 56, disposed between the standards 51 at each/side of the feed table frame, the upper extremities of which screw bars are provided with xed bevel gears 57 in mesh with similarly fixed bevel gears 58 of a transverse shaft 59 journaled at its ends through the upper portions of the upper side frames 52, it bein also seen in Fig. 5, that one projecting en 'of the shaft 59, at the right4 hand side of the machineand looking forward', as will be seen. by reference to Fig. 1, is provided with a ratchet wheel 60, rigidl secured thereto, and having at one side a c utoh face.

61 with which the clutch socket 62 of a crank 63 is engageable, the crank ,itself being 1ongitudinally adjustable upon one extremity of the shaft 59 to engage with and disengag'e from the clutch face 61 just mentioned. The relatively engageable clutch faces 61 and socket' 62, lthe latter carried by the handle 63, will be ,plainly seen -by reference to the detail Fig. 32.

At each side of the feed table frame thus I,

formed, is arranged a -longitudinally 'extending bracket 64, having dnd yokes 65,

brackets 64 has upwardly projecting studs,

67 one of which is plainly seen in Fig. 5,

which are adapted to be received 'in con` formable recesses inthe lower surfaces of side cleats 68 secured to'the under side of the feed table 69, whereby the latter may be l disposed in proper relation with respect to the supporting brackets 64 by registering the recesses of its cleats 68 with the studs 67 'Y just before mentioned.

By referring to Figs. l1, 5, and 28, it will be seen that the feed table 69 is' provided at one side with inwardly projecting transversely extending slots "Q in which plates 71, seen in Fig. 28, are "disposed,r 'each of these plates 71 being provided with a clamping block 72 by which the sanne may be sefcuredjin selected adjustment within the slots 70 by a clamping bolt 73 seen in Fig. 5, each of said adjusting plates 71 also carrying a depending socket 74 adapted to receive the lower end of one of theupright paper guide rods 75, of which there are two at one side of the lpaper stack 76, this stack being guided at it opposite side by means of. a

guide plate 7 as'seen in Figs.,1 and 4, supby a wing nut 79 to aclamp 80, rigidly attachable to the tie rod 54 as'plainly seen in Fig. 4. 4The plates 71 may be connected by a bar 71a: Being thus located in proper position betweenlthe guide rods 75 and the guide plate 77 are laterally adjustable with.

respect to the feed table in order to accommodate a desired width of paper.Y With the paper stack thus disposed in proper posi- `ported at vthe lower end of an arm 78, the, uppert end of whichis adjustably connected ioo tion, and elevated through the use of the hand crank 63 of the controlling shaft 59, the sheets are removed one at a time and fed forwardly by the action of asuction cylinder 82 journaled transversely above the, forward edge of the feed table and immediately above the upper end of the for-l ward spaced upright paper guide'stri'ps 81 before mentioned, the relative arrangement qf'this suction cylinder 82 being readily seen by reference to Figs. -1, 2, and 4.

. In order to effect automatic vertical adjustment of the feed table69, the controlling shaft 59 is provided upon its projecting end with a loosely disposed weighted arm 83, best seen in Fig. 3,.and the weight of which lnormally tends to forceA the same downwardly and rearwardly, this weighted arm being provided with pivoted spring controlled pawls 84 at points diametrically op'- posed to one another with respect to the ratchet wheel 60, the sides of which they en" gage. The lower end of the weighted arm l83is provided with a pivoted contactriinger 85 which, by reference to Fig. 26, will be' seen to have a slight rearward movement under control of a spring 86, and to be prevented. from forward movement by a stop pin 87. This contact linger 85 normally ento one end of a cross rod 96 which, as plainly` seen in Fig. 1,'is journaled transversely between the forward portions of the upper side frame and is provided intermediate its ends with a controlling rod adjustably clamped thereto by a clamp 98 the said controlling rod 97 extending rearwardly above the paper stack 76 and carrying an adjustabler element 99 .which engagesthetop of the paper stack itself. This paper engaging element 99 may either have a'lower paper engaging roller 100 as seen by reference to Figs. 3 and 30, or may carry a depending rigid paper, engaging pin 101 as shown in connection with the element 102 as seen in Fig. 31, the element 99 in Fig. 30 being utilized with thick paper and the element 102 shown in Fig. 32, being used with thin paper. Thus during the use of the machine,

as successive layers of the paperA are fed from the top of th`e stack 76 by the action of the suction. cylinder 82, the. lowering movementpf the paper engaging element 99 permits the Arear end of the controlling rod 97 to lower, thus rocking the cross rod 96 and swinging the rear end yof its arm 95 downwardly, the result of which is to slightly lower the forward end of the latch j 89 upon its rear pivot 90, to permit swinging movement of the weighted arm 83 before mentioned, and as shown in dotted linesin Fig. 3, during which movement the pawls 84 slide over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 60., The, lower portion of the weighted arm 83 however, is provided with a` laterally and outwardly projecting pin ,.103 disposed in a longitudinal slot 104 at the rear end of a connecting rod 105, the forward end of which is connected to the wrist pin 106 of a cranlr 107 the latter being connected to yone end of the suction cylinder 82 in amanner to be hereinafter described.

The slot 104 is of substantially thelength of the .curved and inclined rack 88 of the latch 89 and, during constant rotation of the suction cylinder 82,-the connecting rod 105 is continuously reciprocated so that whenever the weighted arm 83 is permitted swinging movement, during Awhich the pawls 84 slide over the ratchet wheel teeth as be- "fore described, the action of the connecting rod'105 immediately returns the weighted arm 83`to its normal position shown in full lines inl Fig. 3 and thus restores the automatic controlling partsto their original position. During the return movement of the weighted arm 83 the engagement of the pawls 84 with the teeth ofthe ratchet wheel 60 cause a slight rotation of this ratchet wheel, anda similar rotativemovement of the controlling shaft 59, which movement'is communicated through the bevel gears 58 and 57 to the screw bars 56, rotation of which elevates the feed table 69 through the side brackets 64 connected as before described. A

rBy referring to Figs., 5 and 29, it will be noted that the shaft59 before referred to,l

i's provided adjacent one end, and between the upper side frames 52, with a loose pulley 108 having an annular flange 109 provide in its outer face with an aperture 110, this aperture being adapted for the reception of a clutch pin 111 carried by an vannular clutch plate,112 securely fastened to the shaft 59 at 113. This clutch pin 111 is normally, held in inoperative withdrawn position as shown in Fig. 5 during the operation of the machine. When the stack of sheets 76 is exhausted or nearly so, however, the clutch pin 111 may be thrown in, .thus coupling the loose pulley 108 to the shaft 59, the operator at the same time withdrawing, the pawls 84 from the ratchet wheel 60. `Around the pulley 108 -is eX- tended the rear end of a belt 114, the forward end of which belt as plainly seen in Fig. 1, is extended around one end' portion of the suction cylinder 82, see also Fig. 6,-

so that, when the pulley-108 is clutched, the rotation of the suction cylinder 82is communicated ltolthe shaft 59, rotating the same to4 similarly rotate the screw bars 56 and 'y rod 116 having an adjustable set collar 117 secured thereon below the said side bracket,

and with which the extended portion 115 just mentioned comes into engagement as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, when the table is'lowered through the action of the belt 114, thus causing lowering movement of the rod 116, the upper end of which is secured to a flexible connection 118 passing .f

is encountered, however, I preferably use a modified form of actuating mechanism shown in Figs. 33, 34, and .35. ,n

Referring now to Fig. 33 whichv is more or less diagrammatic in form, I'

have shown the contact piece 85a of the weighted arm 83a, which carries the pawls 842l in engagement with the ratchet wheel 60a, as normally held by the shouldered end 120 of a lever 121 intermediately fulcrumed at 122 and having a rearwardly projecting arm 123 provided with an adjustable weight 124 counterbalancing the same, the end 120 of this lever constituting an' armature and'being disposed adjacent to circuit wires 127 and 128, the latter of' electro-magnets 125. A battery 126 -is in circuit with the electro-magnets 125 through Which includes a mechanical Switch 129. The circuit wires 127 and 128 respectively lead to a. rigid arm 130 and one end 131 of an intermediately pivoted lever 132, the opposlte end of which lever is provided with a vertically adjustable paper engaging element 133 normally disposed upon the rear central portion. of the paper stack`76a as shown in both Figs. 33 and 35, the said rigld arm 130 and the said end 131 of the lever 132 being provided with registering contact pins 134 and 135 respectively, which upon lowering movement of the rear end of lever 132, come into engagement and. complete the circuit through -the electro-mag vnets 125 which attract the armature 120 and thus release the contact piece 85 of the weighted arm 83 which is thus free to move downwardly and rearwardly by gravity and is returned in order to raise thel paper holdingftable by connections 105a corresponding to the connections 105 previously pair of rods 53a and 54, and a shaft 59a,

corresponding to the tie rods 53 and 54 and the shaft 59 of the figures before described,

it being noted that in the automatic mechanism illustrated in Fi 3, a frame`136 is clamped, by a clamp 13g?, to the rod 53, this frame having a lower horizontally slotted portion 138 adjustably carrying an insulated support 139 above the paper stack 76a, by means of a clamp 140this insulated support 139 carrying the rigid arm 130 and the lever 132 before mentionedL which connections together with the clamp 140 will be better seen by reference to Fig. 34. There is also shown in Fig. 33 a cross rod 96a corresponding to the cross rod 96 in the gures before mentioned, to. which rod 96a are loosely connected the forward ends of rearwardly projecting rods 141 disposed upon opposite sides of the lever 132 and having adjustable paper engaging members 142 adjacent their rear ends, the function of which is to press downwardly upon the paper stack 76a due to the weight of the rods 41 and assist in maintaining the rough uneven stack 76a as flat as possible.

Referring now to the suction cylinder 82 as shown in detail in Fig. 6, it will be noted that this cylinder consists of two cylindrical sections 143 and 144,-'their inner ends being joined by athreaded connection 145 andt will be further noted that thi-s suction cylinder is provided with an intermediate section, approximately one thirdof its length, provided with a plurality vof minute apertures 146. Suction cylinder 82 is also provided with reduced ends-147 and 148, carried respectively by its sections 143 and 144, i

and is surmounted by a pair of sleeves 149 and 150, which sleeves are movable toward and away from one another to regulate the edective area of the intermediate apertured portion of the said cylinder for a purpose to ,porting rod 157 extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder 82 through its-section 144.

The opposite reduced end 147 of the cylinder 82, around a portion of which the belt 114, before mentioned, is "extended, projects through a bearing 158, adjacent to which bearing is 'a `rigid bracket 159 having a rectangular slot 160 in which is disposed a -similar shaped block 161 to which the outer vend portion of a suction tube 162 is secured,

A this suction tube 162f extending inwardly along the'longitudinal axis of the section 143 of the suction cylinder 82 and thus 1n a plane coincident with the supporting rod 157 before mentioned.

The inner ends of the supporting rod 15.7

andthe suction tube 162,' which rod and tube Acurved w-all 164 of which mouthpiece closely engages the lower portion `of the suction cylinder 82 and isA in length substantially the length of the apertured area of said suction cylinder, all of which will be plainly seen by a comparison of Figs.'4 and 65 v they arrive below the slot 165 duriilg the rlhe suction mouthpiece 163 being thus of Jits own weight adapted to maintain its lower curved wall 164 in close contact with the lower inner surface of the suction cylinder 82, vwhich lower wall is provided with a lon-- gitudinally extending slot 165, is thus well adapted to create suction through the several openings 146 of the suction cylinder as rotation of the suction cylinder 82 ich is i vcontinuousin the operation of the machine,

, `the result being to suck upwardly against the lower periphery of the cylinder 82, the forward end of the uppermostl sheet of the stack 76 as plainly indicated in Fig. 4, Isuch sheet upon being so sucked up against the cylinder being then -fedf forwardlyas the cylinder 82 rotates, its forward edge being moved onto a series of traveling tapes 166, the rear ends of lwhich extend over a wooden roller 167'journaled transversely across the Y machine forwardly of and below the suction cylinder 8 2 as plainly seen in Fig. 4.

Referring again to Fig. 6, it will be noted that the reduced end portion 147 of the suc-v tion cylinder 82,'is provided with a pair of gears 168 and 169,A the former being'of subanaperture 176. Adjacent each yofthe gears stantiallygreater size than the latter, these two gears being integrally formed and in respective connection with separate; small and large gears 17 0 and 171 of the shaft 172 of the wooden roller 167 beforereferred to, through intermediate gears 173 plainly seen in'Figs. 6 and 8.

Referring now to Fig. 7, the shaft 172 of the wooden roller 167 extends through bearings 174 -and 175 at its relatively opposite ends, its gears 170 and 171fbefore mentioned, being'loose thereon andeach provided with 17 0 and 171y is a rigid clutch plate 1,77 having a pin 178 for, engagement inV the aperture 176 of its respective gear170 'and.171. Thus, when the gear 17 0 is clutched, a relatively slokw speed is imparted to the suction cylinder 82, .whereas when the gear 171 is clutched, a relatively increased speed is im- .the frame 185 of which tward ends of which pass around a roller 179, as seen in Fig. 1, and carried forwardly by.

said tapes in ytheir movement, between side paper guides P180 and 181, parallel with the side frame bars 182 and 183, are delivered between superposed rollers 184 at the rear of the ruling machine,

is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the rollers 184 receiving the paper, having interengaging gears 186 and 187 at their outer ends, the latter of whichl is driven through a suitable gear train, from a suitable source ofv power, and one gear of which train is indicated at 188 in Fig. 2.V The gear 187 is also provided with a sprocket wheel 189 and from this sprocket Wheel, a sprocket chain 190 extends longitudinally along and outsideof the frame side bar 183 as will be clearly seen by reference to Fig. 1, with its rear end around a sprocket wheel 191 loosely disposed. upon one projecting end of the shaft 172 of the wooden roller 167 before mentioned. This sprocket wheel 191 is connected to the shaft 172 of the wooden roller 167 by means of an automatic clutch to be now described, as particularly yshown in Figs. 11`to 14 inclus1ve. 2

Referring now to Fig. 11, it will be seen that the sprocket wheel 191 is rigidly attached by machine'bolts 192, to the outer side of an annular disk 193 also loose upon the shaft 172, this disk carrying a pair of spring controlled pawls 194 Vnormally vin engagement with the teeth of a ratchet wheel 195 secured upon the shaft 172 as clearly seen in Fig. 12, pawls, 1'94 havingr laterally and inwardly projecting pins 196 adapted for engagement by the annular beveledface 197 of a clutch -controlling7member 198 longitudinally shiftable with respect toy the shaft 172 and having at its inner end a cam shoulder 199vnormally'disposed 'Withina conformable recess-200 at the outer end of a sleeve 201 disposed on the shaft 4172 and yheld against'rotation by means of pins 202 rigid therewith and entering recesses 1n the .being plainly seen in Fig.'13. Thus rotative movement of the clutch controlling member '1198. in either direction serves to shift 'the Same longitudinally of the shaft v172 and the rear portion of gtoward the ratchetwheel 195, the result `being that its conical face 197 engages the pins 196 of the pawls 194 so as to shift the pawls on their pivots away from, and out of engagement with ratchet wheel 195 before "mentioned To this end, the clutch controlling member 198 has an upright rigid arm 203 to which the forward end of the flexible connection 118 is secured, the rear end of which connection isv secured tothe vertically shiftable rod 116. To the uprlght arm 203 is also connected lthe rear end of a y end of a retractile lspring 207 is connected at a point forwardly of the fulcrum 206, the lower end of said spring being anchored in the lower portion of a vertically adjustable bracket 208 as best seen in Fig. 23,

f which is held in adjusted position in connection with the frame side bar 183 by a set screw 209. The upper portion of the-cam 'disk 205 is provided with a Iforwardly presented shoulder 210 engaged by the lower end of a threaded pin 211 adjustably mounted through the forward end of an arm 212,

the rear end of which is securely fastened to a cross shaft 213, above and forwardly beyond, the wooden roller 167 before mentioned, so that the cam disk 205 is nor.- mally held in its inactive position as best seen in Fig. 23. v The shaft l213 just men'- tioned extends transversely above the series of tapes 166, its ends projecting through uprightA bearings 214 attached to the side frame bars 183 as best seen by reference t0 Figs. 1 and 22, and is provided with forwardly and rearwardly projecting arms 215 11 and 216 respectively, the latter arm being loosely connected to the' shaft 21,3 to swing freely in -a vertical direction thereon, and having at its rear bifurcated end a roller 217 bearing upon the wooden roller 167 as shown in Fig. 7, and acting to press the paper downwardly into engagement with the tapes 1.66 and thus promote a steady uniform movement of the paper so fed.

The forwardly projecting arm 215 is rigidly connected at its rear end to the said shaft 213, and is provided at its forward end with a roller 218 as plainly seen in Figs. 1 and 22, which roller bears downwardly-upon a companion roller 219 mounted upon a lower transverse shaft '220, extending between the side frame bars 182 and'18l3 below the up` pery run lof the tape-166, this latter shaft 220 I being provided at one side with a sprocket wheel 221 connected by'aA sprocket chain 222 with a sprocket wheel r223 secured to one end of the wooden roller 167 as seen in Fig. 7, the shaft 220 being thus driven from the wooden roller 167.' The roller 219 of the shaft 220 projects upwardly to substantially the level of the upper runs of the tapes 166 and the arm 215 being rigid with causes upward4 movement of the arm 215,

oscillating shaft 213 to such an extentthat the vertical movement o f the pin 211, inconsideration of the fact that the arm 212/isv of greatly increased length with respect to the arm 215, elevates the pin '211 out of'contact with the shoulder 210 of the cam plate 205, which cam plate is thereupon rocked upon its fulcrum 206 by the action of the spring 207 so as to move rod 204 forwardly to oscillate the clutch controlling member 198 with which rod 204 is connected as before described, thus releasing the clutch l' through the action ofv the previously 'described` l Forwardly of the'cam piece 205 is a transverse shaft 224 journaled through the "side parts thereof as iframe bars 182 and 183, 4and provided at one side adjacent to the cam plate 205 and beneath its forward v.extension 225, with a rearwardly projecting crank 226 having a roller 227 which, upon oscillatory movement of shaft 224, is adapted to engage upwardly beneath the forward extension 225 of the cam plate 205 and elevate said cam kplate to its normal locked position as shown in Fig. 22, after automatic release thereof due to the attempted passageof. two or more sheets at the same time along the ltapes 166, the relatively opposite en d of shaft 224 having a `handle 228vadjacent1the forward end of this'machine and therefore adjacent the operators station indicated by the arrow A nF-ig-l- YR ferring now to Figs. 2 and 15, it will be seen from the former of these two figures, that an air pump of suitable character is shown at 229 vbelow the frame consisting of the side bars 182 and 183, this pump l.being connected to suction and blast pipes 230 and 231 by flexible connections 232 and 233 respectively, said suction and blast pipes 230 and 231 being mounted transversely across the machine and forwardly ofthe upright forward paper guides81, in brackets 234 ,t of the valves being-under control of the opment of the parts of the ruling machine. 80

l 40 t0 Figs 2 and 24a the forward extremity 0f' on, the nozzles being indicated atj272 and v j I s attachedto certain of the said guides, as and also with the wing nut 258 by means 65 plainly indicated in Fig. 15. Adjacent one of which these parts are adjustably clamped, end the suction and blastV pipes 230 and being looselydisposed upon the projecting 4d 231 are provided with slots 235 and 236 reportion of a rigid stu'd 259, and the gear 5 spectively and are surmountedeadjacent said 257 receiving its rotation through a train slots by slotted valve sleeves 237 and 238, of gears 260, 261-,and 262, the latter of which 70 the slots 239 and 240 lof which sleeves are meshes with the before mentioned gear 187, adapted vto register more or less with, the and of Which train of gears, gear 262 is ad- 'respective slots 235 and 236 of the suction justably and removably supported upon a and blast pipes, in order to control the operi bracket 263 by means of a clamp 264. Thus ative force ofthe suction and blast respecthe speed of rotation of the/cam 253, as Well 75 tively from the pump 229. The detail strucas its relative position, may be'readily adture of theseair valves 237 and 238 Will be justed so as to cut off the valve 246, and better seen by reference to Figs. 20. and 21 the action of the suction cylinder 82, at just respectively cross'sections therethrough each the proper time with respecti to the moveerator of the machine, and to this end the Adjacent its opposite ends, the blast-pipe lsuction pipe valve 237 Which iS required to 231 as plainly seen in Fig. 15, 'is connected be more frequently adjusted, is yprovided by flexible connections 265 tothe relatively with diametrically extending arms 241 `conopposite end of an upper blast tube 266, tube nected by rods 242 to Controlling level 243 W266 being extended through a vconcentric 85 mounted adjacent the operators station as tube 267 and provided with a longitudinal will be seen by referenee G0 Fg 1- At its slot 268 as best seen by `reference to .Figs.. relatively opposite end, the'suction pipe 230, 16 and 17. Theconcentric tibe 267 is also 25 le C011I1ec`ted, by an upright leXible conneC provided Vwith a series of relatively short v C1011 244, t0 the-Outer end 0f the 8110171011 tube longitudinal slots spirally arranged there- 90 ,o 162 eXtendiIlg thllellgh the reduce@ eI1d`l4=7 "around, and this tube may be rotated on rof the s uction cylinder 82, and adjacent the the tube 266 in Order to bring-.any one 0f connection 244 just described, the suction the Series of Slots 269 thereof in registry pipe230 1S also provlded'wlth a Slot 245 with the slot 268 of the inner tube 266 for and is surmounted by a rotary, valve sleeve a purpose to. be now described, j 95 246, @Onstltutmg a Cut-Offvalve and havlng The` tubes 266 and 267 aresupporced in 395101? 247 adapted -O ,TeglSt-e' Wlth the' S191? vertically adjustable" relation by' means of 24,5 0f the s uetlon P lpe ae 'better eeeb 1n brackets 270 secured to' certain of the up- Fig- 19- Th1 S Valve Sleeve 1S lSO-PIGVlded right paper vguides v81, as clearly seen in with an upright arm 248connected by a fFig- 15, and to which the said tubes are 100 v V'OI'Wa'I'dlY extendlng I'Od 249 exbendlng ;connected by means f adjustable screw through ajportion ofthe frame 185 of the rods 271, and the outer tube 267 is', provided Tullng meebme as Clearly Seen by reference with curved nozzles slidably disposed there' rod 249 being pivotally united at 250 to the lower end of a lever .251 pivoted at its upper Y be 'Secured in adjusted position, these 1102- 'ed et 252 t0 @E R01-blob Ofbbe frame 185 0f zles being projectable either above or below the muling machine, and. ac ted uponA by a the tube 267, both of which positions are @am 253: 111 fefdel' t0 Perlefheuy move @he indicated in Fig. 15, and having as their Valve 246. t0 fully Teglstel' lbeapelbul'e Wlth functions the delivering of air blasts against 110 qthe aperture 2.45 of the suctionv pipe, thus the forward edge of the paperstack 76 in deetoylng, entllely tbe effect 0f ,the SUCUPII order ,to agitate the forward edges of the and affestmg the 30131011 0f tbe Sletll Cyllnpaper and enable the suction cylinder 82 to der ,82 readily lift the top Ysheet from the stack Referllng t0 Flg. 24, 1t Wlll be Seel] that for the punposes before described, l 115 vrearwardly of the frame 185 of therru.ling Thus from the foregoing description of machine, the' connecting rodf249 is provided the construction and .operation of` the .sevwith an adjustable set collar: 254 and iS eral parts of this machine, it is 'believed that SllIIOllIded: by a celled SPIlDg 255 eXtelldits'operation as a Whole may be readily uning between the said set collar and the frame del-stood'. It is to be noted, however, that 120 185. of the ruling machine and -the action 0f in addition to the automatic release of the which is to normally create a rearward tenclutch shown in Figs. 11 to 14 inclusive by we sion upon the rod 249 tol maintain the valve the' passage 0f two or more sheets beneath 246 closed. the roller 218, the operator may release these The cam 2.53, as best seenbyreference to parts by the operation of-a handle 274 CaI- 125 F 1g- 25a 1 5 dllstbly clamped upon a sleeve ried by the end of the shaft 213 opposite 256 Iand in connectionvvit al gear 257, the` to that to Which\the arm `212 is connected, Sleeve 256, with the gear 2 7 andcam 253,) 'as best seen in Fig.- 1. The operator athis having set screws 273- whereby" they may 1075 y nipulation of the handle 228 of the resetting shaft 224.

It is also to be understood that when the table 69 is to be lowered, the operator pulls the pawls 84 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 68 and clutches the pulley 108 lby releasing thepin 111 and moving the same into the flange aperture 110, the table being thereby lowered through they action of belt 114 from the suction cylinder 82. A s

` before described, when the table has been Y lowered until it-engages the set collar 117,

thereby lowering rod 116, the clutch is withdrawn by rearward oscillating movement of the clutch operating member 198, thus disrupting the driving connections to the several feeding parts of the machine. When a new supply of paper sheets has .been furnished, the table is then elevated to the proper posltion asbest seen by reference to .Fig 4, bythe hand crank 63.

It will be understood that a machine so constructed will be light in weight, practicalY and eiiicient in its operation, and strong and durablein use, and that the feeding parts may be controlled through the adjustment of the driving connections best shown in Fig. 2 from the ruling machine, Iso as to accurately and minutely adjust and time ithe feeding operation in accordance with the movement ofthe operating parts of the ruling machine itself, sheets ,being fed either at desirably spaced intervals, or in a practically continuous manner without danger of tw o or more sheets arriving at theruling machine at the same time, and with the attention of-but a single operator. Y

It is further to be understood that, while I have shown and described my improvements particularly nin connection with a rulingv machine, they may be adapted with equal facility in connection with printing machines, embossing machines, paper box making machines, sizing apparatus, and in f fact, any machinery to which it is desired to feed sheets of paper' in substantially the manner set forth, and each of the foregoilg references to a ruling machine is therefore to be taken as merely representative of the class of machinery to which my invention is adapted for application.

I claim 1. In a paper sheet feeding machine, a blast pipe vertically adjustablymounted-at one side 'of the paper to be fed, an air'pump for supplying air to the said blast pipe, and blast nozzles adjustably mounted on the said blast pipe for delivering air against the adjacent side of the paper stack for the purpose described.` f

2. In a paper sheet feeding machine, blast nozzles arranged at one side of the stack of paper to be' fed, for directing air thereagainst to agitate the edges of the sheets of the stack, an air pump, connections between the air pump and the said nozzles for delivering air to the latter, a cut-0B? valve within said connections, and a controlling -valve also within the said connections vwhereby the force of blast from the said nozzles controlled by the cut-0H valve may be simultaneously regulated.

3. In a paper sheet feeding machine, a pair of concentric blast tubes, the inner tube of which'is provided with a single slot, and the outer tube of which is provided with a series of spirally arranged apertures, the said tubes being rotative relative to one another whereby a selected aperture of the outer tube may be registered with the slot of the inner tube, an air pump, air connections between the said pump and the said inner tube, and nozzles adjustably disposed upon the outer tube for directing blasts against the paper stack, substantiallyy as described.

4. In aJ paperzsheet feeding machine, a pair of concentric blast tubes, the inner tube of which is provided with`a single slot, and the outer tube of which is provided with a series of spirally arranged apertures, the said tubes being rotative relative to one another whereby a selected aperture of the outer tube 100 may be registered with the slot of the inner tube, an air pump, air connections between the said pump and the said inner tube, nozzles adjustably disposed upon the outer tube for directing Ablasts against the paper stack, substantially as described, and connections for adjusting the said concentric tubes vertically with respect to the said paper stack, substantially as described.

5. In a paper sheet feeding machine, a suction cylinder Afor withdrawing paper from a stack, having a series of perforations, bearings in which the said cylinder is mounted to rotate, means for rotating the cylinder, a downwardly opening mouthpiece having a curved lower slotted wall engaging the inner periphery of the cylinder adjacent its perforated portion, Inon-rotatable supports extending from the ends of the said mouthpiece, substantially axial of the said cylinder, and having vertically movable bearings whereby to permit movement of the mouthpiece by gravity against the lower portion of the cylinder, one of said supports being in the form of a tube, an air pump, and connections leading from the suction side of the 125 said pump to the said tube. y

6. In a paper'sheet feeding machine, a

suction cylinder for withdrawing paper from a stack, having series of perforations, and a sleeve'surrounding the said cylinder and adjustable lengthwise thereof to cover selected openings and regulate the eective width of its said perforated'section.

7. In a paper sheet feeding machine, a suction cylinder for withdrawing paper from a stack, having an intermediate perforated section, and sleeve's'surrounding the same at opposite sides of said perforated,`

section and adjustable upon the cylinder to cover selected openings-and .regulate the effective width of "its perforated section.

8. In -a paper sheet feeding machine, a suction cylinder for withdrawing paper fromv a stack, bearings in which the said cylinder is rotatably mountedy adjustable connections for rotating the said cylinder and controlling the speedof such rotation, said cylinder having an intermediate annular series of perforations, a suction mouthpiece non-rotatably disposed within the said cylin- .der and vertically movable by'gravity to engage the lower; portion thereof,` )said mouthpiece having a longitudinal slot extending the full width of the perforated section of the cylinder, suctionjconnections leading to the said mouthpiece, and means for regulating the eective area of the perforated section of the-cylinder,`all as described.

9. In a paper sheet feeding 'machine, a

feed table' adapted to hold a paper stack, a

` suction cylinder arranged above the forward edge of the feed table' to withdraw sheets therefrom, blast nozzles arranged below the said suction cylinder and acting against the paper stack to agitate the paper sheets and assist the action of the suction cylinder, an air pump, connections'between the said pump and the suction cylinder and blast nozzles and having regulating valves, a cut-ol valve l in the suction cylinder connections, and

means for automatically openingand closing the said cut-ofi' valve.

10. In a paper feeding apparatus for'ruling machines, the combination of a feed table supporting the paper to be fed, a series of feed tapesfor conveying thel paper to the ruling machine, automatic means for withdrawing the paper from the feed table and transferring the same to the said tapes, and

meansfor actuating said apparatus including adjustable gears connected to the driven part ofthe ruling machine. A

11. In av paper feeding machine, a rotatable perforated suctioncylinder 'for with-f drawingpaper fromv a stack,suction means therein, and means( movable exteriorly l tion, suction means therein, and manually 4thereof fory cutting off selected perforations and thus controllingv the effective area.-

12. In a paper sheet feeding machine, la rotatable suction cylinder for withdrawing paper from a' stack, having a perforated secoperated means movable exteriorly thereofv for cutting off selected. perforations and thus controlling the eHective area.

13. In a paper sheet feeding machine, a feed table on which the paper tobe fed is arranged ina stack, and means for'agitating the sheets at one side of vthe table, .said

means being adj'ustablelaterally and vertically 'with respect to the stack and including a horizontal vertically adjustable blast pipe,

and nozzles'longitudinally adjustable on and vertically movable with, said blast pipe.

' 14. In a paper sheet feeding machine, blast nozzles arranged at one .side of the stack of paper to be fed for directing -air there- 4 against, a horizontal blast pipe on which said nozzles are longitudinally adjustable, extendingtransversely across the forward face of the stack, an air pump, flexible connections between said pump and said blast pipe, and bearings in which said blast pipe is adjustable vertically of the paper stack to raise and lower said'nozzles. v

15. In a paper sheet feeding machine, an

upper vertically adjustable blast pipe extending transversely acrss the stack of paper to be fed, a lower stationary transverse blast pipe, iexible connectionsbetween the opposite ends of said blast pipes, an air pump, air 'connections between the said pump and the lower blast pipe, and a controlling .valve located adjacent one end of said lower blast pipe for` controlling Qthe force of blast communicated tothe upperI blast pipe, and blast nozzles arranged on and communicating with the said upper blast pipe. d

16. Iny a rpaper sheet feeding machine, blast nozzles arranged at one side O f the stack of paper to be fed'for directing air thereagdainst, a blast pipe extending transversely across' the forward face of the said stack, and vertically adjustable with respect thereto, air supply connections leading to said pipe, and nozzles communicating with, and adjustable longitudinally V along, said pipe, transversely of the said stack. i

17. In a paper sheet feeding machine, a pair of concentric blast tubes extending transversely across the front side'A of the paper stack` to be fed and adjustable vertically with respect thereto, the inner tube having a single longitudinal slot and the outer tubevwardly opening suction mouth-piece extendwithdrawing paper from a stack, aN downing within said. cylinder adjacent its perforations, and non-rotatable supports for said mouth pieceV extending axially of the cylinder and including axially extending rods having vertically movable bearings at Ithe opposite ends of the suction cylinder whereby to permit of vertical movementfof said mouth piece by gravity to maintain its lower face in snug contact with the cylinder at all times.

19. In a paper sheet feeding machine, a suction cylinder, a suction mouthpiece theree in capable of Vertical movement, an air tube communicating at its inner end With Said 

